Sunday, April 29, 2007

Untitled

I was following up a lead from a comment made by Lorraine from ICTPD (NZ again!!), Lorraine had left a comment in the ClassBlogmeister discussion group regarding a recent chat around pupils ability to read teachers corrections/comments on their blog entry.
The post below is an interesting one which struck me as a  really good discussion point. I asked Lorraine if she minded me posting it, to see what type of comments we get back, she kindly agreed.
I think that Assessment AS learning has something to say in the UK with our 'every child matters' focus at present - I/we will be interested to hear your views.

ASSESSMENT AS LEARNING


I have been reading and listening to a lot about Assessment - Assessing to learn, Assessing for learning. Yet I am still concerned that these do not fulfill my belief in “Assessment AS Learning”. Assessment it seems is viewed as a teacher task or teacher imposed activity. How does this encourage:
- personalised learning?
- intrinsic motivation in the process?
- our students to become life long learners?

Personalised learning encourages a shift from students as passive recipients to individuals who engage in an active two (or more) way process. Central to P.L . is assessment. If we aim to involve students in the process of learning then it is only natural to include them in assessment processes.

This is one reason why I like Rubrics so much. In a well designed rubric, the assessment process becomes transparent. Students see what is required and measure themselves within it. The next steps are visible. Encouraging their use in self and peer assessment allows all involved to use the process and points to where they need to go next. As students become more familiar with the role of a rubric, their involvement in the making of the rubric, and the assessment criteria becomes even more powerful.

People no matter what age, change themselves more powerfully than having others impose their ideas and expectations. As a parent I could never see the reason why a teacher and parent met to discuss the child’s learning without the child being an active participant in this conversation. Is their involvement not valued? Is it the parent and teachers role to manipulate the learner, accept the accolades on their behalf etc.?

I do not simply want to “train” children, to have them jump through hoops and measure them without their understanding the value and process involved. More powerful than this is to have students able to direct their own learning, to know what they are being assessed on and to have them involved in this process.

It is the process of assessment that is important. If we can equip our children with a clear process coupled with clear understood expectations, their independence in learning, their intrinsic motivation in learning and their development as life long learning is enhanced. Students can develop a scaffold which they can use and transfer to other situations.
Lorraine -ICTPD

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**Interesting Web 2.0 Tool**
Check out zoho a tool which enables your pupils to save Microsoft Offices documents ( Word,Excel,Powerpoint not sure about Publisher) online - work on them at home - online (no need to have MS Office on home PC) re-save and complete or print when back in school!!!! There is also the possibility of pupils collaborating on work by amending each others projects... a useful tool from John Sutton of Creative ICT... give it a try
** Flashmeeting - Great for videoconferencing?**

Since my post on March 3rd, I had been keen to explore the benefits of using Flashmeeting over Skype, which has become the normal method of VOIP conversations recently. I arranged in advance to have an hour long discussion with Allanah King ( Nelson, New Zealand) and Jane Nicholls ( e-fellow - Dunedin, New Zealand). Thanks to a friend Stuart Brown at the Open University, much involved in the award winning UO OpenLearn Project

"I just wanted to share the great news that OpenLearn has won the IMS Global Learning Consortiums' top prize this year!!

Full press release below:

Vancouver, British Columbia – 19 April 2007 – The IMS Global Learning Consortium (IMS GLC) today announced the results of the final rankings in the first global competition of high impact use of technology in learning. Featuring the highest levels of innovation, adoption, and learning impact, the Learning Impact Awards (aka LIAs) symbolize the use of technology for support or enhancement of learning. A set of twenty-five finalists, from nominations submitted from around the world, were invited to the Learning Impact conference in Vancouver to be judged by a set of six expert reviewers and combined voting from the attendees, which served as a seventh reviewer. Nominations with superior measurable impact on faculty/teacher adoption, student achievement, and ease of implementation earned the finalist slots. For more information on the expert panel of judges visit: http://www.imsglobal.org/learningimpact/agenda.html#experts. The 210 conference participants were roughly split three ways among executive leaders in the education markets worldwide, chief technologists from organizations providing advances in learning technology, and information or academic technology leaders responsible for implementing, using, and selecting technology to support or enhance learning. For more information on the Learning Impact conference of which the LIA awards are a part, see http://www.imsglobal.org/learningimpact/agenda.html.

The LIA awards are also unique in that they recognize the use of technology in context. Nominations include not only information about the technology, but how it is used by an educational or training organization. The 2007 award winners are as follows:

Platinum Awards (top three rankings):

OpenLearn at the Open University, United Kingdom (supported by Moodle)
ETS Criterion Online Writing Evaluation service at Farragut High School, Knox County Public Schools
Cyber Home Learning System of Korea
Gold Awards:

HarvestRoad Hive & the Resource List Management System at the University of Western Australia
California State University Fresno Fast Forward Program
European eTwinning Action by European Schoolnet
Silver Awards:

Using Giunti Labs learn eXact LCMS at the UK NHS and Royal College of Radiologists R-ITI Project
Microsoft Research ConferenceXP at Australian School of the Air and Classroom Presenter at University of Washington
Respondus 3.5 and University of Alberta
Bronze Awards:

Tegrity Campus 2.0 at Saint Mary's University
Articulate at Jefferson County Public Schools
Wimba’s Course Genie: An Authoring Tool for Common Cartridge at Langside College
Honorable mentions:

eCollege Program Intelligence Manager at Iowa Community College Online Consortium
Desire2Learn at Office of Open Learning, University of Guelph
Microsoft Learning Gateway at Shireland Language College
BlueStream Digital Asset Management System At The University Of Michigan (supported by Ancept and IBM)
ANGEL at Penn State
UGO Online Academic Resource Management system at the University of Montreal (supported by Logiweb)
A study on how to enhance support for the Cyber Home Learning System by Korea Education & Research Information Service
Meeting the Needs of a Global Student Body with Jenzabar at Park University
Microsoft Partners in Learning at Ministry of Education, Thailand"
Well done to Stuart and the OpenLearn team... anyhow I have drifted from the point, Stuart was able to point me to the correct person at the Open University who could give me Booking Rights on Flashmeeting. I set up a 4 person (25 is the max)meeting for a 60 minute session. The resulting video conference is available here
It was a good exercise as I had taken part as a participant in one of Joe Dale's ( Joe has just held a VideoConference between his school and Sylvia Tolisano in Florida) recent Flashmeeting sessions, so was a relative novice while my 2 colleagues were completely new to the whole thing.
Once we had got used to the whole turn taking thing and the small details such as remembering to leave the mic open for a few seconds after you have spoken in order to avoid cropping the end of your speech, it worked very well ( I had a problem at the time in that my MacBook seemed dis-inclined to hook up the built in camera to Flashmeeting so I had to rig up a dv camera - this has been sorted out through reading the guides and downloading a small software update from Adobe).
You use a closed room where guests are invited to join (25 attendees limit seems plenty), there are a variety of additional tools which appear as tabs - these include:
* a list of those in conference.
*a chat area page.
*url exchange page.
* an image page where you can see your colleagues.
It operates on a hand up system where you signal that you would like to speak and you are put in a queue. The meeting times down at the top left and gives you audio warnings as you approach the time limit of you conference. Audio seems to be subject to similar fade in and out as Skype.
The Verdict
All of us who took part in the session found it to be a useful looking option holding out the possibility of having visual contact with colleagues in a conference which is not available using Skype, while having many of the extras which Skype also has. Plus some extras that you might expect from an academic institution - great stats on the conference ( check them out if you have the chance to have a look at our videoconference) I suggest a definite 8.5 out of 10 if not more, I think time and more use will see this rating rise.

** I know that the people who have developed Flashmeeting are very keen on its development internationally contact me and I will give you Jeff Howson's (E2BN)e-mail address.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Tiny Ted in Virginia USA - Howdy Partner!!!

"Hello New Zealand and Wales,

I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to tell you about my adventures with Tiny Ted! Tiny Ted and I had two amazing adventures while he was here in Williamsburg, Virginia. First Tiny Ted helped me give a tour of The College of William and Mary and then we went line dancing!

Tiny Ted helped give a fabulous tour of the College! I even think he helped convince some students to attend! He walked around the entire campus with me two times! Tiny Ted also shared his adventures with the guests of the College and told them about his friends in New Zealand and Wales. They were all very excited to hear about you all and were very honored to meet Tiny Ted. They couldn’t believe he had made it all the way to the States!

Tiny Ted was the best tour guide that day. He stood up in front of over 500 people and introduced himself as a tour guide for the College of William and Mary! He didn’t seem scared to talk in front of all those people and they all clapped for him when he was done. Here is a picture of Tiny Ted with two other tour guides. The stuffed doll was part of another assignment for the student on the left.

After a long day of giving tours Tiny Ted and I rested for a couple of hours, ate dinner, and went line dancing! Since Tiny Ted was in the southern part of the United States I felt it was only necessary that he attend a real country western line dancing club. He was a little timid at first, but after a couple of dances Tiny Ted was doing the two-step like a pro!

Tiny Ted is continuing his 'World Tour' our geocaching friend has travelled from New Zealand to Virginia in America where he is visiting a group of trainee teachers who are determined to give him a good time and some new experiences.


A cowboy spotted Tiny Ted and they began talking about his adventures around the world. Tiny Ted told the cowboy about his friends in Wales and his friends in New Zealand. Then the cowboy talked to Tiny Ted about line dancing and wearing cowboy boots and hats. The cowboy explained to Tiny Ted that line dancing was a tradition in the southern part of the United States, specifically in Texas. Here’s a picture of Tiny Ted and his cowboy friend.

Unfortunately those are all the adventures I was able to take with Tiny Ted. Thank you so much for letting me spend time with him! I can’t wait to hear about his future journeys around the world!

Thanks very much to Katie A for posting these photos and telling us all about Tiny Ted's adventures in Virginia, USA.

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Saturday, April 21, 2007

Creative ICT Spring Conference 2007- Chorlton, Manchester

Following a tip off from John Johnston (Sandaig Primary) I travelled the 170 odd miles from Gilwern to Chorlton Park Primary School for the Creative ICT Spring Conference organised by John Sutton. I was not alone as the audience was around 30 strong, made up of teachers from Key Stage 1 to Tertiary Education plus sponsors of the event.

We were treated to a range of inspiring presentations which did 'as they said on the tin' particular highlights of the day for me was not just hearing Russell Prue speaking and inspiring us on Child Centred Learning

Which took us on the journey - showing how to use the technology that our pupils are using every day and regain education ownership of it re-directing our pupils and making learning fun for kids - but also seeing Russell in action on the dancemat!!!

Showing how to burn off 4 calories ' the fun way' ( apologies to Russell for the unflattering photograph!!).

Another highlight was the naturally low key but effwctive presentation from Peter Ford ( seen admiring Russell's dancing prowess above)

Peter seen here as in full flow took us again into the world of inspiring pupils to participate in global discussions and online debates using blogs as a means of communication.

Showing teachers how to take control of the ICT curriculum of their school for their own needs rather than being driven by targets from on-high ( many of which are at least 10 years out of date!!! - sorry QCA, DFES and BECTA but you are years behind the game!!) was the role fufilled well by Chorlton Park's Assistant Head Lizzie Wray.

I thoroughly enjoyed what was along day the only downside for me was a lack of wirless connectivity in the main room which meant that I was unable to practice 'real time blogging or even live a live Skype feed from the room. (Note for John for next time wireless access would be handy??)

Apologies for not going into detail on other presenters and sponsors, but as you will appreciate I am sure, it has been a long day. The big thank you to John Johnston for the tip in the first instance and to John Sutton  for being a grand host for the day.

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Friday, April 20, 2007

This evening at 10pm I had arranged with Allanah King and Jane Nicholls to try out The Open University's Flashmeeting videoconferencing tool.

I pre-booked a 1 hour introductory session to get things going. mainly we were trying to see how versatile the tool is and what it can do. It is a secure non-public meeting area. Within it you not only have audio but ( when the Macs allow!!!) video as well. When in the discussion you put your hand up to talk and join the queue, so it encourages turn taking. You can also use IM type chat and send urls to your partners. In addition there is a voting mechanism so that with a big group you could vote on proposals.

I think that this tool has huge potential and I know that it is being used widely by Universities and Schools within the UK to link with institutions in other countries for Modern Foreign Language teaching.

I must pass on my thanks to Stuart ( UK web 2.0 users Ning group) for his assistance in this trans-global link up.

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Mini-Dylan visits Nelson New Zealand

This blog post comes to us courtesy of Allanah King ( and her mum! - hello mum ) in Nelson and shows how the links between Wales and New Zealand have strengthened over the past months.

"I am starting to think of school again next week and thought you might like an update on our swan plants and an introduction to Mini-Dylan. Mini-Dylan has been given to us Mr H and the class of 3H of Cefn Fforest School in Wales. They understand how we might be missing Tiny Ted and he knows that Fern has left to go to Binghamton School in New York and Midnight hasn't arrived yet so thought that Mini-Dylan might just do the trick.

Dylan is a Welsh name and dragons are the national symbol of Wales. You will see the red dragon on the Welsh flag. Dylan will be able to come home and have his photo taken sometimes as well.I have been looking after the swan plants and misting them with my new mister every day and now there are over 30 new plants. If they all survive that will be enough for everyone to have one each and some left over for school. Mini-Dylan is keeping a watchful eye!"

By Allanah King  and Mr H

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Allanah has tagged me as part of Miguel Guhlin's tag :

List the top 5 to 10 things that you do almost every day that help you to be successful. They can be anything at all, but they have to be things that you do at least 4 or 5 times every week. Anything less than that may be a hobby that helps you out, but we are after the real day in and day out habits that help you to be successful.
Source: Around the Corner v2 - MGuhlin.net, Ed Tech Journeys' Guest Blogger, Sylvia Martinez (GenYES Blog) writing on this meme by Thea Westra, Simply Successful Secrets.

I would like to start by stating that I don't consider myself that successful, perhaps lucky would be a more accurate way to put it. I think that I have 'gotten away with it' as Americans would say ( that is by spreading a little talent a long way !!!)

Keeping in contact with 'the family'
These days as that becomes less easy ( 2 out of 3 daughters now live away from home - poor Laura still has to put up with the 'old folks' for a bit longer, but is planning her escape to University/College) but I do endeavour to keep in touch with everyone at least every other day - in fact in the middle of typing this at 10.55pm Wednesday 18th April, Sian (eldest)has just phoned (landline) from Carlisle (289 miles away). My one regret is that with such a hectic day to day life that I fail miserably when it comes to keeping in contact with my parents ( even worse when they only live 5 miles away!! ).

Keeping up with WWW and new tech tools
This is gradually taking over my daily routine, to such an extent that I get jumpy when somewhere where there is no wireless link for my laptop!!! There is so much happening so quickly in the web 2.0 ( soon to be web 3.0) world as new tools emerge that I feel the need to check on what gizmo's are out there, and how I might integrate them into the online 'stuff' that we do in school. I am also lucky in having a circle of online friends who are equally enthusiastic about trying out these things.

Cooking!!!
Not always through choice, but many years ago ( too many to remember) there was an unwritten rule in our household that whoever was home first should cook the evening meal - peculiarly that seemed quite often to be me!!!! Over the years subsequently I have become at home in the kitchen as well as the office - while I would never dare to refer to myself as a cook, and am certainly not the adventurous type. The family seem to eat it and I haven't poisoned anyone yet (to my knowledge). Yes I can do both custard and gravy without lumps ( not instant I hate them!!!). Not sure how it helps me to be successful, but what the heck!!

Being fascinated with the way children develop their ideas.
This happens almost every day in the classroom as my 7 or 8 year old pupils come to grips with the topics/subjects we cover in class, or even in an informal discussion. Watching children's eyes light up when something that was 'impossible' one minute become so obvious they want to show others how to do it, the next is a blessing that all teachers allowed and we should be eternally grateful. When a child who has been a reluctant reader and writer does a piece of work that they are so proud of they want to take it home to show their mum ( it happened today) - is priceless. I don't think any teacher could consider themselves successful if they didn't experience this.

Learn something new.
I don't think that many days go by when I don't find something new either to write about or comment about. I believe that keeping an enquiring mind is the most important gift of all. I intend resolutely to grow old dis-gracefully, and vow to try my best to keep learning right up to the point where I no longer care!!!

Seeing a grandchild smile
This is a bonus point, and is something which has only been available for us over the past 15 months since the birth of Abbie followed 12 months later by the arrival of Jacob and as any other grandparent can tell you - it more than makes your day, and certainly allows you to have a different outlook on the world - I think that it gives you a totally different outlook on life and the world of work...

Well that is my lot, I don't know how much of an incite they give into the 'real me' but it was interesting carrying out the exercise - I would like to tag :

Daniela Lucci Cordisco
Kylli Kaasuk
Joe Dale





Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Jane Nicholls ( a teacher from Dunedin New Zealand ) who podcasts as ICTUCAN (see Jane's link at the end of her post below) is currently on a year research project working out of school on how the use of new technology is impacting on pupils and their learning. Jane made some very nice comment s about our Cefn Fforest Podcasts and our link with Appleby School in Nelson New Zealand, do give Jane's podcast a listen..

"In my position as an ICT Facilitator and even more so now that I am spending a year researching podcasts in the classroom, I get to listen to a good many different classroom podcasts. I thought that it would be a good idea to present some of these podcasts in a review to help teachers who are wanting to have a go at podcasting have a starting point.


The podcasts that I review in this episode are all primary (elementary) schools:
KPE: http://www.ptengland.school.nz/index.php?family=1,338,788
Small Voices: http://kinderteacher.podomatic.com
Rowland: http://rowland.podomatic.com
Andersen's: http://adonnell.podomatic.com
Cefn Fforest: http://cefnfforest.podomatic.com
Appleby Showcase: http://allanah.podomatic.com
Pine Hill School: http://room5.podomatic.com

If you would like to listen to this podcast, just head over to my podcast page."

Jane Nicholls

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Monday, April 16, 2007

** YackPack **

YackPack appears to be growing and spreading around the world and is an alternative to using Skype for audio communication. There are a few things to be careful with - in YackPack you can see how many others are online in the bottom right of the widget - but you don't know who they are ( specially ifthey do not talk, but just lurk - it may be perfectly innocent eg no mic ). You have also to be careful when talking and you must take turns when speaking as your microphone does not cut off your firends from talking - you could talk over each other. ( my friend Allanah was talking to Jane Nicholls recently - apparently they had to use a rather old fashioned method of turn taking by using 'over and out' to let each other know that they had finished speaking!!!!).









Sunday, April 15, 2007



** Tiny Ted in the USA**

Tiny Ted our travelling geocaghe bear has been on a journey around the world. His journey began back in October 2006 when he made the 11,000 mile trip to New Zealand to stay with some friends of ours in Moturoa Class at Appleby School near Nelson. While he was in New Zealand TT had a fabulous time as you will see if you visit his flickr page kindly set up by teacher Allanah King. Last month TT left New Zealand ( much to the sadness of Moturoa Class pupils ) with Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, heading for the East coast of the United States of America, the State of Virginia.

Sheryl lectures on the use of Technology in Education to pre-service and in-service teachers at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, and has agreed to pass TT on to her students.

TT has already been with 2 students and most recently he was visiting Chris Michaels at his Elementary School I will let Chris explain what they got up to .




"On Thursday, Tiny Ted went with my fourth grade class from Magruder Elementary to Yorktown, VA. Yorktown is where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. Trapped between American forces on land and French forces at sea, Cornwallis's troops were cut off from reinforcements and the supply line and had to surrender. Although the war lasted another year after the surrender, the defeat effectively ended the War."




"Yorktown is a part of what is known as the Historic Triangle, which consists of Williamsburg , Jamestown, and Yorktown. Magruder Elementary is located in Williamsburg."


Here you can see Mr Michales with his pupils and helpers at the Yorktown Victory Center ( Centre in Wales)

"Tobacco was the largest cash crop in Colonial Virginia. The class is in a tobacco house where the tobacco leaves are hung to dry before being packaged and sent to Europe."

James and Tiny Ted stand next to Patrick Henry's famous quote "give me liberty or give me death" on the time line.

We look forward to learning more about the American War of Independence from our new friends in Williamsburg. To view more pictures of Tiny Ted go to Mr Michaels webpage...

Thank you very much Mr Michaels for taking such fabulous pictures and giving us some wonderful information.

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Saturday, April 14, 2007

** Some New Elements **

I found myself sat at the computer and after a bit of blog reading, which is compulsory for all true bloggers. We have the need and desire to check out what's heppening in the world, either via aggregators or just viewing what our friends are up to. As I grow older I sadly find that on a blog viewing journey I tend to forget where I have been!!! My excuse is that being a grandfather twice over I must be gradually losing some of 'the little grey cells' (Hercule Poirot of course). The widget that I did find on my journeys is now on the right side panel - it is a talk gadget which apparently allows people viewing a blog to talk ( I don't know how you are supposed to know if there is anyone listening !!!! as a result ultimately who knows how useful it will be?
I have tried to add a bit of information also on the right panel by adding video's from TED 2006 some are very good and definitely worth a visit and a watch. Added also in order to help my pals in Virginia and Nelson out, are a trio of clocks - which can be quite mesmerising if you watch for too long - so beware.
Just trying to add some 'Bling to my Blog' ( quote from Allana King ) I hope you find the additions useful...

Friday, April 13, 2007

An interesting little gizmo that my NZ friend Allanah passed on to me this evening is 
it is a wee customiseable gadget which allows you to upload
your head ( or anyone's that you have stored!!!)
and attach it to a selection of shirts and
trousers( pants!!).
It then allows you to select a movement style and the music -
once done - hey presto you go to performance and
this is what you get.

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This only goes to show the way Web 2.0 should be used
in education (lol) thanks Allanah

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Cardiff Bay

On Bank Holiday Monday the Harrington Clan made a visit to Cardiff Bay to check out the vibe down by the waterfront. This blogpost is being written directly through Flock thanks to Allanah King in New Zealand who put me and many others onto Flock, after a bit of playing around linking favourites, photo accounts to Flock hopefully it works... here are some views of the Bay and its architecture:


The Millennium Centre. ( base for Torchwood - BBC TV )

The Port Authority Building

The Wall of Water

Roald Dahl has a big connection with Cardiff and the Bay - he was educated at Llandaff Cathedral School and his family worshipped at the Norwegian Church in the Bay where he was christened. There is a plaque to Dahl t the entrance to the old Dry Dock which is now a walkway.

The Bay is also the start of the Taff Trail

A Jazz group play as the sculptures behind them sit and watch.

I hope that you one day may have time to visit this growing part of our capital.



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Saturday, April 07, 2007

** Chris Harbeck's Unproject **
I posted on Friday a video from Chris Harbeck's Unproject - It has now come fruitition as Chris writes on his blog. Chris's pupils deadline has now passed and they have stepped up to the challenge set by Mr H. There are some favourites amongst the - these include a rather 'off the wall' (http://spfractions.com/Jeff+%26+Justin+841 will not play directly as blocked, but do check it out ) movie on fractions, to an excellent presentation ( best watched in full screen ).

Chris had set up the project using a wiki with rules and ideas for the pupils. Chris has certainly shown what is possible and I think that he would agree that his pupils certainly rose to the challenge. When looking at Chris's blog do take time to read the comments as they give further incite into how the Unproject was developed, following conversations between Chris, Darren Kuropatwa and Clarence Fisher.
** Easter Passion Play **

Over recent years it has become traditional for local churches in Abergavenny to put on the story of The Passion. The story of Jesus's last few hours from Last Supper to Crucifixion takes place throughout the town - participants and congregation walk from site to site. Luckily today was a beautiful day with clear blue skies.

Friday, April 06, 2007

** Using MovieMaking for education **

I was browsing through the blogosphere this afternoon while sitting out in my garden for the first time this year, the picture is just to show my friends in warmer climates that we can have good weather here in Wales too !!



In my meander through the blogs that I subscribe to thanks to bloglines I was reading what Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach was saying regarding the use of web 2.0 tools in education. Sheryl has looked at the work of Chris Harbeck ( a friend of all K12 online skypecast participants ) and his Un-Project for his High School pupils on fractions-showing a great use of a wiki for pupils work as well. Chris had set up the work to enable his pupils to use whatever media they wanted to present their work, one of his examples is a YouTube movie made by Max Weinstein and Chaz Portera on quadrilaterals it's a pretty cool way for students to present their work I think you will agree once you have watched it.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

** Stephen Heppell chats **

I came across this chat with the extremely inspiring Stephen Heppell via a link from Ewan McIntosh, LTA Scotland have just developed a space on YouTube and this video was a recently posted example.
Stephen is an exciting person to hear speak, I first heard him 5 years ago speaking at an E-Learning Conference at the Celtic Manor near Newport, and I guess a lot of the directions I have gone in since are partly down to what he said on that day. Now I hadn't thought about that until very recently - it goes to show how the influence of people to ' not be afraid to think outside the classroom walls' does bear fruit in the future, enjoy the video I did...

Sunday, April 01, 2007

** K-8 Education as a Web 2.0 community**

I recorded my thoughts on the possibility of developing K-8 as a 'sidetrack' on the web 2.0 railroad tracks ( after David Warlick 2006). It was following a short Skype IM chat with Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach where she suggested it may be more relevant to those of us in Primary (Elementary, Middle School) Education to form an online community to look at applications relevant to those of us in the sector.
I look forward to your thoughts on this...


Click here to get your own player.

A dear friend

It seems very apt to be writing this blog post in tribute to a dear, dear friend. The world has lost a true global educational  IT innovator...